Inflatable cargo cushion

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are described for the use of an inflatable cushion (cargo cushion) that is capable of rapidly surrounding odd shaped cargo in a shipping container that enables the cargo to be secured during transportation without fear of damage to the cargo. The cargo cushion can be reused, if necessary (thereby preventing waste) and provides varying degrees of securement via adjustment of the inflation pressure and/or adjustment of the cargo cushion location in the shipping container. Because air can be utilized, the weight of the cargo cushion is nominal as compared to competing cargo securing systems.

BACKGROUND Field

The following description relates generally to securing cargo in shipping containers. More particularly, systems and methods are disclosed for the use of an inflatable “cushion” that surrounds cargo in a shipping container to secure it from movement during transportation.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In one aspect, a method for restraining cargo in a shipping container with a protective inflatable cushion is provided, comprising: positioning the inflatable cushion, being made of a polyurethane material and containing a elasticity affecting lubricant, about cargo in the shipping container; applying a gas to the inflatable cushion to expand the inflatable cushion; adjusting an amount of gas applied to the inflatable cushion to cause the inflatable cushion to substantially surround the cargo in both a horizontal and vertical direction by substantially conforming to a shape of the cargo it is destined to protect within the shipping container and to exert restraining pressure about the cargo to prevent substantial movement of the cargo during shipment of the cargo.

In another aspect, an apparatus for restraining cargo in a shipping container with a protective inflatable cushion is provided, comprising: a single chambered inflatable cushion, being made of a polyurethane material and containing a elasticity affecting lubricant, wherein upon an application of gas to the inflatable cushion, the inflatable cushion stretches in both a horizontal and vertical direction to substantially conform around a contour of the cargo to exert restraining pressure about the cargo, thereby preventing substantial movement of the cargo during shipment of the cargo.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the claimed subject matter may be employed and the claimed subject matter is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the exemplary cargo cushion(s) placed around cargo in a shipping container.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the exemplary cargo cushion(s) in the process of inflation.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an inflated cargo cushion(s) in the shipping container.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an empty ocean/airfreight/truck enclosure.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a difficult-to-secure cargo.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the difficult-to-secure cargo in a shipping container.

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front view illustration of the cargo cushion(s) being inflated.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustration of the inflated cargo cushion(s).

FIG. 10 is a top view illustration of the inflated cargo cushion(s).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods are described for the use of an inflatable cushion (cargo cushion). The cargo cushion is capable of rapidly surrounding odd shaped cargo in a shipping container that enables the cargo to be secured during transportation without fear of damage to the cargo. The cargo cushion can be reused, if necessary (thereby preventing waste), and provides varying degrees of constraint via adjustment of the inflation pressure and/or adjustment of the cargo cushion location in the shipping container. Because air is utilized, the weight of the cargo cushion device is significantly less than competing cargo securing systems. Straps, nails and braces made out of wood are not needed and with the cushion surrounding the cargo, restraining forces on the cargo are distributed, thus reducing the possibility of damaging the cargo and the subsequent claims for damage.

Odd shaped objects such as turbines, heavy machinery, aircraft engines and so forth that traditionally require an enormous amount of effort and cost to secure for shipping, can be easily secured using the exemplary cargo cushion. For some objects, the exemplary cargo cushion may not need to be fully inflated, or by strategic placement of the exemplary cargo cushion only a portion of the exemplary cargo cushion may need to be inflated. It should be noted that the shape-conforming ability of the exemplary cargo cushion provides protection of cargo that is oddly shaped, that is not presently available in the current shipping art.

Various shipping containers can be used, such as for ocean freight,, truck, train and other large commercial containers. Typical ocean freight containers be anywhere from 20 feet to 40 feet or other standard lengths. The exemplary cargo cushions can be attached to the walls of the containers, either permanently or temporarily (for example, using suction cups, clips, etc.), thus insertion of the cargo cushions ‘after’ loading of the cargo can be avoided. Pre-insertion of the cargo cushions would be desired for large objects that do not allow for post-insertion of the cargo cushions into the shipping container after loading—most likely occurring from lack of space between the wall(s) of the shipping container and the cargo.

The exemplary cargo cushion can be positioned in a deflated mode, thus occupying minimal space during positioning and deployment. The exemplary cargo cushion can be in the form of an inflatable curtain or sheet or as a tubular structure. As one example, the rear of the shipping container may have the cargo cushion positioned or attached to the rear panel, with an inflation channel provided near the front of the shipping container.

By appropriate situation of the exemplary cargo cushion in the shipping container and with appropriate inflation, varying levels of constraint on the cargo can be obtained. That is, the exemplary cargo cushion can be inflated to a high degree of pressure—causing the exemplary cargo cushion to expand to a higher degree, resulting on more pressure on the cargo surfaces.

As alluded to above, the exemplary cargo cushion can be removed from the shipping container by deflating the exemplary cargo cushion and then either recycling it for the next shipment or throwing it away, if so desired.

The exemplary cargo cushion can be fashioned from polyurethane film and the flexibility and/or elasticity of the film can be adjusted by the application of a lubricant which can be petroleum-based. However, other lubricants (not petroleum-based, or otherwise) may provide the desired capabilities. The application of the lubricant allows the film to have a variable flexibility and/or elasticity, which enables the film to be customized with respect to shape accommodation. For some simple cargo shapes, it may not be necessary for more lubricant to be added, while for other cargo shapes, more lubricant may be needed to enable the film to fully encompass the cargo. Thus, the film, formed into a chamber and with an appropriate lubricant, will produce a shape conforming inflatable cushion that provides the desired protection, level of securement, without material waste, that is not yet known in the cargo shipping industry.

The inventor has successfully used a product by American Polyfilm, Inc., called MMT 100-2000 series polyurethane film (specifically MMT 1001 & MMT 2001). The composition of the material provided by American Polyfilm, Inc. is described as thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer film. However, it is understood that any polyurethane film having the characteristics described herein may be used, without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

To be puncture resistant and strong enough to provide sufficient restraining force, the film should have a thickness ranging from 10 mm to 50 mm.

The exemplary film is formed into air tight baffles or chambers having an inlet port for pressurization. The inlet port can also function as an outlet port, if a separate outlet port is not desired. In some embodiments, the cargo cushion can be a single chamber device that inflates and forms an air cushion about the cargo of interest. In other embodiments, the cargo cushion can be multi-chambered. In the multi-chambered embodiments, the chambers may be connected or not connected. If not connected, the non-connected chambers should be configured with an inlet port for inflation purposes, or a bleed in valve to pass the inflated air into the neighboring chamber(s).

The exemplary film may be transparent or colored. If the exemplary film is transparent (or opaque), another advantage can be obtained. Specifically, visual inspection of the cargo can be achieved with transparent film. Currently, traditional shipping constraints obscure or cover the cargo so that visual inspection or viewing of the cargo cannot be performed without first disengaging the shipping constraints from the cargo. With transparent (or opaque) film(s), inspection or viewing times can be reduced significantly.

To provide adequate surface coverage within a conventionally sized shipping container, the exemplary cushion may range in dimensions from twenty (20) feet in length up to forty (40) feet in length. For different sized containers, the exemplary cushion may also be differently sized, as needed. Further, in some embodiments, if a particularly difficult object is being secured, smaller cushions may be used as well as larger cushions. As made apparent in the following Figures, numerous advantages are found in securing/protecting cargo in shipping containers, by utilizing the exemplary embodiments disclosed.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the exemplary cargo cushion(s) 10 placed around cargo 12 in a shipping container 14. The shipping container 14, for illustration purposes, is shown with the top removed.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the exemplary cargo cushion(s) 10 being inflated with a compressor 16 or other air/gas producing device. The compressor 16 is connected to the exemplary cargo cushion(s) 10 via gas lines 18 having a valve 20 situated therebetween. The gas lines 18 are coupled to the exemplary cargo cushion(s) 10 via inlet (and/or outlet) ports 19. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the exemplary cargo cushion(s) fills the void between the cargo 12 and the sides of the shipping container 14.

It should be noted that a single gas line 18 may utilized, as according to design preference. Additionally, the valve 20 may be situated at the compressor or at the inlet ports 19, or any other place deemed necessary. In some embodiments, the valve 20 may be an optional device, the compressor 16 providing the function of the valve, if necessary.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an inflated cargo cushion(s) 10 in the shipping container 14 with cargo 12 secured therein. FIG. 3 shows the top of the shipping container 14 in place and accordingly the exemplary cargo cushion(s) 10 is deformed or conformed to the shape of the cargo 12. The expansion of the exemplary cargo cushion(s) 10 about the cargo 12, as shown in this example, prevents the cargo from moving in lateral or vertical directions.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an empty ocean/airfreight/truck enclosure 14.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a difficult-to-secure cargo 12 with shipping supports 22, about to be loaded into shipping container 14.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the difficult-to-secure cargo 12 in the shipping container 14.

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front view illustration of the exemplary cargo cushion(s) 10 being inflated via gas line 18 and valve 20 into inlet (outlet) ports 19.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustration of the inflated exemplary cargo cushion(s) 10.

FIG. 10 is a top view illustration of the inflated cargo cushion(s) 10.

It should be understood that while the exemplary embodiments are described in the context of deployment in a commercial shipping container, other containers, larger, smaller, non-rectangular, etc., may be appropriate for use with exemplary cargo cushion. Additionally, any form of gas may be used to inflate the exemplary cargo cushion and therefore ambient air is not the only gas to be considered within the scope of the disclosed embodiments.

What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

1. A method for restraining cargo in a shipping container with a protective inflatable cushion, comprising: positioning the inflatable cushion, being made of a polyurethane material and containing a elasticity affecting lubricant, about cargo in the shipping container; applying a gas to the inflatable cushion to expand the inflatable cushion; adjusting an amount of gas applied to the inflatable cushion to cause the inflatable cushion to substantially surround the cargo in both a horizontal and vertical direction by substantially conforming to a shape of the cargo it is destined to protect within the shipping container and to exert restraining pressure about the cargo to prevent substantial movement of the cargo during shipment of the cargo.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising deflating the inflatable cushion.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the shipping container is at least 20 feet long.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of inflatable cushions.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas is not air.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying is performed by use of a compressor.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting is performed by use of a valve.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning is performed before loading of the cargo into the shipping container.
 9. An apparatus for restraining cargo in a shipping container with a protective inflatable cushion, comprising: a single chambered inflatable cushion, being made of a polyurethane material and containing a elasticity affecting lubricant, wherein upon an application of gas to the inflatable cushion, the inflatable cushion stretches in both a horizontal and vertical direction to substantially conform around a contour of the cargo to exert restraining pressure about the cargo, thereby preventing substantial movement of the cargo during shipment of the cargo.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the inflatable cushion is multi-chambered.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the polyurethane material is a film called MMT 100-2000 series polyurethane film manufactured by American Polyfilm, Inc.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the film is at least 10 mil thick.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lubricant is petroleum based. 